Application in PDF format, blank or with form fields.
Applicants must print out the cover sheet forms to include with their proposal packet. A checklist of what needs to be included in the proposal packet is provided under "Submission of Proposals" below.

UC MEXUS announces a small grants competition for travel, short-term research, initial planning, or other special one-time needs related to the seed phase of projects or programs conducted by University of California researchers or research teams in the areas of

Seed funds are available to support beginning projects in the areas listed above; travel to develop collaborations or to present the results of UC MEXUS-supported research projects; visiting scholars from Mexican institutions; lectures and performances; public service programs; and other short-term needs for the initial development of projects. Requests are encouraged for funds to match awards from campus sources.

Prior to funding of new proposals, all Principal Investigators must complete previous awards in this program, and final financial and narrative reports must be filed and accepted by UC MEXUS. The project is expected to be completed within one year. UC MEXUS support of the project shall be acknowledged in proposals to extramural agencies and publications or conference materials that result, fully or partially, from the UC MEXUS grant. A copy of each proposal or publication must be provided to UC MEXUS. Brief narrative and financial reports may be required.

Budgets

Awards of up to $1,500 will be provided for a one-year period. Allowable expenses include:

Salary payments to the Principal Investigator or other academic salaries, except student assistance for activities directly related to the project (no student tuition or associated academic fees may be included).

Research assistantships or teaching assistantships for department courses or seminars.

Equipment purchases for items over $1,000.

Indirect costs or institutional overhead assessments.

Reimbursement for activities that occur before the project period begins.

Submission of Proposals

All proposals must include an original set of the following items:

Cover Page with contact information, abstract, and signatures (pdf form available, blank or with form fields.

Project Plan (not to exceed three pages): provide a narrative statement explaining the request for funds, including proposed activities and a time-line.

Detailed budget of planned expenditures.

Short curriculum vitae of Principal Investigator.

Letter(s) of intent and short curriculum vitae, in English or Spanish, from additional academic participants or visitors for whom funds are requested (e.g., visiting scholars or conference participants).

For travel of the Principal Investigator to a meeting, include the organizer’s invitation or acceptance of paper. Travel to conferences will be considered only when the request is related to reporting the results of previous UC MEXUS-funded research.

For travel related to organizing and/or inviting participants to meetings, seminars, or courses, include a program and any promotional materials.

Documentation of matching funds, if applicable.

Submit two hard copies (original plus a copy) of the proposal directly to:

A signature from the P.I.'s campusResearch or Contracts and Grants Officeis required. Please note that campus offices may require that proposals be submitted for internal review well before the UC MEXUS deadline.

Deadline for Receipt of Proposals

The program is open to receipt of proposals at the beginning of each month. To be considered, proposals must be received not later than 5:00 p.m. on the first Monday of every month (with the exception of the delayed January 11 deadline) for project periods beginning the following month. For instance, proposals must be submitted by February 1, 2016, for grant project periods beginning March 1, 2016. Projects may not incur costs that will occur during the month review period prior to the start of the project period.

Submission is by hard copy only. Late or incomplete proposals, faxes, or electronic submissions will not be accepted. Proposals postmarked by the deadline but received later will not be accepted.

Review Process and Criteria

Proposals will be reviewed by an internal committee and award decisions made by the director of UC MEXUS. UC MEXUS may request outside review. In addition to such standard review criteria as clarity, quality, and feasibility of the proposal, UC MEXUS will assign importance to the significance of the proposed project for society and for the advancement of scholarship in the discipline(s). Requests for support of visiting scientists and scholars from Mexican institutions are especially encouraged when the visitor will help to initiate or to enhance a collaborative research relationship between the University of California and a Mexican institution. UC MEXUS provides no pre-review of proposals nor will reviewer comments be provided following the competition. Please note that the selection process is based on the proposed project’s fit to UC MEXUS goals and, specifically, a thematic connection to Mexico, independent of the applicant’s nationality.

2016 Small Grant Deadlines
-5:00 pm-
January 11, February 1, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, July 4, August 1, September 5, October 3, November 7, and December 5, 2016.
Project periods begin on the first of the following month.